Sekondi Takoradi Metro Intensifies Decongestion Exercise

The Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly is to commence the second phase of a decongestion exercise embarked upon at the last quarter of 2017 to pave way for free movement of city dwellers and vehicles.

The first phase of the decongestion exercise which saw the relocation of long distance vehicles terminals to the just opened Apremdo market had indeed rejuvenated the hitherto abandoned market and ushered in new long distance vehicle terminal from the city centre.

Mr Anthony K. K. Sam, the Metropolitan Chief Executive who briefed the press on the second phase said, 'The first phase of the decongestion exercise has brought up development worth mentioning…trading activities at the Apremdo market in general has significantly improved since the commencement of the exercise'.

Another notable result was also the introduction of long distance loading stations at Sekondi to Kumasi, Accra, Swedru, Mankessim, Cape Coast and other destination saving travellers the cost of travelling to Takoradi to board vehicles for those journeys.

Currently according to the MCE, the Metro Mass Transit has also requested that the buses loaded from its yard, adding, 'The officers leading the decongestion exercise has started engaging MMT management on their request'.

The second phase of the exercise which takes off on January 15 would be carried out in some selected locations especially within the central business district and Kwesimintsim as well as the demolition of unauthorized structures along selected streets. The areas of concentration would be the inner and outer parameters, Collins avenue, Ahanta road, old Accra station and around the Super Star hotel.

For Kwesimintsim, traders using the township road and pavement as market places would be affected by the exercise. Similar decongestion exercise would be carried out in all five sub-metros of the STMA.

The MCE said the second phase would require 110 personnel including metropolitan guards, police, military, artisans and labourers, adding, 'We intend to intensively sustain the exercise as it has been done with the relocation of the terminals'.

Mr. Sam mentioned that there were plans to expand the market facilities and entreated all traders to move into their shed in the market rather than sell by the roads and inner and outer parameters.

Another major worry of the Assembly was the growing usage of push -trucks which were left unattended to after close of work.

He said the pushers of those trucks parked anyhow without recourse to other road users and even residents and called on such people to desist from indiscriminate parking around the central business district.

The Assembly according to him would be carrying out a major desilting exercise to rid the gutters and drains of filth.

Mr Sam called on all stakeholders within the STMA to effectively collaborate and work together in projecting the twin-city as one of the cleanest, beautiful and most habitable city around the country.